No signed deal, but records prove secrecy consensus, Seoul says in POW row
South Korea and Ukraine remain at odds over the scope of a "binding" nondisclosure agreement regarding the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war (POWs), with the dispute now centering on a fine but crucial distinction: Seoul says a consensus on confidentiality existed from the start of negotiations, while Kyiv says no official document of any agreement exists. South Korean officials…
The dispute between South Korea and Ukraine over the transfer of two North Korean POWs revolves around a nondisclosure agreement, with Seoul asserting a consensus on confidentiality from the beginning of negotiations, while Kyiv maintains no official agreement was reached. South Korean officials conceded the absence of a formal signed nondisclosure agreement but emphasized that both parties had consistently operated under the premise of maintaining the negotiation's confidentiality.
A senior foreign ministry official disclosed that internal documents exist but cannot be disclosed. Seoul and Kyiv have reportedly been communicating based on the implicit agreement to keep the entire negotiation confidential. President Lee Jae Myung's remarks on the matter are believed to have some legitimacy, with Cheong Wa Dae and the foreign ministry maintaining the stance.
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